My Partial Tax Money Returned

So its in the disguise of an IRS check for buying a new home and I realize only a few are getting it but belive me I'm not going to complain when the IRS decides to give back some of the tax money I've put in for policies and spending I don't agree with. I think it might be close to 1%!! Of course it is all going to have to go straight to an IRA fund since the tax money we all pay will be gone and no social security anymore. Who knows if it will really happen; the government always seems to find a way to keep it going and increase the government debt which in turn several years down the road will increase our taxes the never ending ugly cycle. Needless to say there are more important things in life so even with the synacism of this post it is Memorial Day and government functioning put aside Thankyou to all who have sacrificed for the safety of this country that is blessed beyond what we realize.

Pictures of the House

Long awaited I am sure but the parentals are coming in about one hour so you know that equals cleaning. And yes those are UT (University of Texas for you fans of UT Vols) but I orange just is what goes best so...

She's HERE

Ava Elizabeth Berryhill is here as of about 3:50 yesterday. She is 7 lbs 13 oz and 20.5 inches long (taking after her dad on that length but apparently her mom on the looks). As Mirm says she looks like Granny Shoey (what Karlee calls my mom) and as Doug says she looks like the Hamiltons (that is my mom's side of the family). I asked Doug how she is and he says fantastic!!! I think my parents are sad they weren't there and I know I can't wait to meet her in July. My parents are on there way tomorrow after a stop over here so I'm sure there will be more pics to come. If you are facebook friends with Mirm or Doug he has put some pics on their facebook.

Because I aim to please

Some of you asked and I deliver:

The guy that made the podcasts name is Robert Ullrey. His website is
http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/

I downloaded my podcast free off of I-tunes and use my ipod but I know there are other formats as well.

He based his podcasts off of the plan from www.coolrunning.com
There is some pretty good information and tips on that sight.

For those of you who informed me 5k is not very far and that is easy here is a link to a 10k plan

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1462924

just google those phrases for more options - good luck my friends.

Oh and yeah Jerry Love (who challenged the whole accounting firm I work out to exercise and even has incentives every month) I'm going to be in the drawing from May on so get ready!!!

Apology for my green pants

Ok folks so I know you are all probably getting tired of seeing me in the green army looking faded pants that I try to pass off as casual dress pants and casual casual pants and hang out pants but that is all my lard butt fits in right now. Actually, the walking and diet does help because now I can fit into a pair of black pants so now you will see every other day black pants instead of green pants - exciting huh?

I am refusing to buy new clothes because it is motivation that I have to have something to wear.

So some of you have been asking what I am doing. My friend Jaime introduced me to couch to 5K in 8 weeks by Robert Ullerey (I think that is how you spell it). He has a podcast that I've downloaded. The music isn't too bad either. I've done the first week and the first day I thought I was going to die but it gets easier. And it is pretty embarrasing that I thought I was going to die when I tell you the first day you walk for 5 minutes then you run/walk for 60 second/90 second intervals. It does not sound hard but I guess that is how out of shape I am.

I have never been able to run much because I always suck wind so hard and I think I have to go from nothing to running miles and so I get discouraged and just stop. So I think this is going to be good for me to learn to take it slow and let my body build up strength and stamina. I want to hike Barrias at Camp this year. It is the only hike I've never been on. Now convincing either 3 year old Karlee to go or someone to watch her may be a different story but we'll cross that path in July.

So when I'm out exercising I just put in my head mental pictures (these are not hallucinations) of Bob and Jillian screeming at me and then an image of Michelle from last season before and after and it helps me work through the I"m tired and don't want to do this anymore syndrome.

More updates to come I'm sure.

I don't know what I'll do when I can't fit in the green pants anymore because they are too big. I do love those pants!!!

The Laws - Two Very Special People

Meet Alvin and Daisy Law. I think a lot of people growing up have special couples in their lives that they are close to and mean the world to them. For our family that is Alvin and Daisy. Since both sets of my grandparents have passed away my brother asked Alvin and Daisy to walk in his wedding this weekend as his grandparents. That is how special they are to us.

My first memory of Alvin and Daisy is riding with them and their granddaughter Shelly to camp for my first year as a camper. I remember it vividly because we got stuck. The Laws have a cabin in the Blue which is the Canyon of Blue Haven cabin owners. There is a steep hill to get from Camp into the Blue Canyon called Red Flag Hill. Back in the day Red Flag was a steep mud fest of a hill and so everytime it rained - well let's just say it can get interesting now and they have improved the roads. Anyway, we were trucking along back then when I think I was going into the 5th grade in a pickup truck with a camper on the top of it, already dark at night doing what two 10 year old girls do when I remember hearing the spin of tires and then looking out the window and going backwards down this steep narrow muddy hill. Needless to say Alvin is the man and got out got the chains on and we made it to the cabin that night. I've spent every summer since at some point as a camper, cook, counselor, teacher, or visitor on the porch visiting with Alvin and Daisy at their cabin not to mention multiple nights in their visitor mini cabin.

Their cabin is famous amongst Blue Haven Camper's for the Oasis and the nature trail Alvin built along the Blue creek that gives campers a break from the hot road when hiking. Daisy was famous to my cabin because she would always have my cabin over for homeade ice cream or watermelon. They treat us just like we are one of their own grandkids.

Alvin and Daisy also live in Plainview where I grew up. I remember going over to their house and playing dominos and just seeing them at church when they would get back from the mountains and be so excited Alvin and Daisy were back.

Alvin ran the bus station in Plainview. When I worked at my dad's store we would often have to take packages to ship to other stores to the bus station and I always looked forward to seeing Alvin. My brother is especially special to them. They adored him. Alvin would take him on his bus routes. And at the wedding this weekend I can already see my nieces are having just as special a relationship. Brooke hung out with Alvin and Daisy for about 2 hours while everybody else was running around making this day perfect. She loved it and they loved it.

Alvin and Daisy told me Saturday they look forward to going up to their cabin at camp in a week and seeing me later in the summer. It has been hard watching them get older and their health deteriorate. In fact they told me this may be their last summer up there. I can't imagine Blue Haven without them. Without Daisy's sweetness motherly caring and Alvin's jokes and orneryness!! Most of all I respect them and will never forget the example of a Christian they have shown me and so many others. There love for each other is so apparent They are fun, loving, and most gracious and I can't wait to see them very soon in the Sangr de Cristo Mountains at Camp!!!

Already won Brooke over.

The Wedding

Well it is official: I'm the only single one left in the Scott Family and believe me I hear about it!!! My brother got married this weekend. It was a very pretty wedding and great getting to spend time with the family. Mirm despite being 9 months pregnant and due in like 2 1/2 weeks made the long trek from Cabot (Little Rock) with Doug and managed to not entertain everyone by having Ava Elizabeth this weekend. I guess we'll wait a couple of more. Other than Brittany (the Bride) Karlee my little niece and flower girl definitely stole the show. She came down the aisle so well including the bright blue pacifier she dug out of the flower basket where my sister buried it and told her she could have it after she "threw all the flowers." She solved the problem the minute Rachel left to go sit down she threw all the flowers on the ground got her pacifier and then picked all the flowers back up and said, "I get to throw them again" Then when she got to the front she was supposed to go sit with Rachel. Well she couldn't find Rachel and didn't know what to do and people were telling her to go to her mom so she turned around and ran back up the aisle to where she last saw her mom. It was so funny and cute - leave it to my niece!!! I think she really did a great job for a 2 1/2 year old. Of course my favorite thing about the wedding was that it was fast super fast. From start to finish of reception and getting in the car and everything was less than 2 hours. Right up my alley.

Oh and how could I possibly not talk about the groom's cake. I was very impressed with my brother's friend that made this cake. This ship is actually cake too. Chocolate. Very impressive they should be a cake decorator. Of course nobody wanted to cut into the ship so it ended up at the end of the wedding in the back of my parents car!!!

It was also fun to watch Uncle Doug play with Brooke since this was the first time he met her and with Karlee who he has only seen once. I think he passed the preliminary dad test!!! It is not very often our whole family gets to be together so we really had a good time. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

The Siblings
Yes I don't have shoes on I have never liked wearing them why change now!!
Brooke has some of the greatest facial expressions

and of course Karlee still has to give her a run for her money

Asleep in Uncle Doug's lap

Our whole family all together - a very rare event

Karlee loves her Mac and Cheese and "Bac Bac" aka chicken

Even pregnant woman has to swing

Brooke meeting her Uncle Doug

Prego lady still can make the faces

This is IT

Today is it I'm committing to exercising and eating better.

We work with detox sometimes. Today I found out heard about a person that has been to recovery 4 times since Jan. 2009 lost their job and family because of their drinking and when the state tried to get them help they just made excuses why they couldn't do whatever help was being offered.

When I heard about this I got so frustrated thinking to myself this person is ruining their life why don't they get help. I know its hard but is it really that hard.

Then I came home and cooked dinner. And then went straight to the couch where I started thinking I spend way too much time. I got up and went shopping for something to wear to my brother's wedding this weekend and got so frustrated because nothing looks good. Then I come back home and start watching the Biggest Loser and see how these people's lives have changed. To see their bodies their faces their spirits so different - well guess what its time.

So this weekend my friend Jaime introduced me to Robert Ullrey's podcast from couch to 5k in 9 weeks. I'm doing it. I probably will need accountability because this is one of my biggest addictions and struggles. But I'm announcing to you all I'm doing it so keep me accountable. Ask for updates bug me to death I'm doing it!!! My goal is when I go to camp this year in less than 3 months to be able to hike all day without having to worry about asthma because I'm out of shape.

I remember when I did this a few years ago to hopefully be able to give my friend Neal a kidney. I felt so much better, and I remember being able to work through things emotionally and spiritually better by just having that alone time to think, pray, listen to music, just be better fit emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

I am also going to drink more water but I'm not yet ready to give up the Diet Dr. Pepper's One thing at a time!!!

So dear friends next time you see me I will be smaller (that is unless you see me this week!!! ha)

Excitement and Tragedy

Well I have the furniture and I absolutely love it. I will post some pics if I ever get around to making my bed - so don't hold your breath waiting. I finally fill settled and it is a huge feeling of relief.

Tragedy has also struck. One of my suite mates in college's sister in law was killed Thursday in Bartlett (Memphis). It is a very tragic story with lots of questions. Apparently she was shot by her husband and so there is a lot to deal with please keep them in your prayers. The girl's brother was a friend of mine from Harding and also friends of my sister that lives in Little Rock. May the family have peace and healing during this extremely hard time.